Belonging to Hayden (Tales of Moonspell 1)

by Jessica Coulter Smith

  “Maybe they didn’t think it would matter. Perhaps, they didn’t think you would be leaving here.”

  “You could be right.”

  A knock sounded at the door a moment before it opened. A guard stood outside while a young woman carried in a tray laden with food and drink. She set the tray on a table in the corner of the room before scurrying back out, never once looking in their direction.

  Hayden fixed a plate with meat, crackers, and cheese before handing it to her.

  “You haven’t told me anything about you,” he commented.

  “Because I’m still learning about you.”

  “I think you’ve heard plenty for now. Is anyone going to come looking for you?”

  “You mean like a boyfriend?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “No, there’s no one. My last boyfriend is serving time in the county lock-up at the moment, and my family are all gone. They’re either dead or moved far away from Moonspell.”

  He grinned. “They don’t like our small little Alabama town?”

  “It isn’t the state they object to, or the town so much. It’s the inhabitants. Werewolves are just the tip of the iceberg, as you well know. Once my family discovered other things lived in this town, they packed up and left.”

  “But you stayed.”

  She shrugged. “It’s my home. Where else would I go?”

  Chapter Two

  Daniela nibbled on her food and watched Hayden. He prowled around the room, looking out the windows at the moonlit night. She wondered how it felt to be trapped in the mansion, unable to shift and run wild as he normally would. She felt confined, and she’d never known the freedoms he had. It must be torture for him.

  “So if your family is against supernatural beings, I guess they’d really love me,” he said.

  She smiled. “Probably not. But I wouldn’t take it personally. They left Moonspell because they wanted a normal life somewhere in a place where werewolves don’t exist.”

  He gave her an incredulous look.

  “All right, so they’ll still exist, but maybe they won’t openly reside in town. My family doesn’t want to know what’s going on around them. They want to live in ignorance. Now they’re able to do that.”

  “It won’t be long before the supernatural population comes out in every city across the country, possibly across the world. What are they going to do when every town they move to has a werewolf, or a witch, or a fairy living next door? What are they going to do when the vampire nests become more aggressive, taking more than just one or two people a week to feed?”

  She sighed. “I know they’ll have to face reality eventually, but for now they’re happy, and that’s what matters.”

  He snorted and began pacing.

  “I’m friends, sort of, with some of your pack. I guess we’re really more acquaintances than anything,” she said.

  He looked surprised. “Really? Who?”

  “Andrew Phillips, Luke Mayfield, and Darren Remington.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Is there a particular reason you’re acquainted with three of my more eligible bachelors?”

  “They saved me, twice.”

  “I don’t believe I’ve heard that story.”

  “The first time, I was coming home from Luna del Morte when I was accosted in an alley. They heard my cries for help and came to my rescue.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “You said there were two times.”

  “My ex-boyfriend tried to kill me. He’d already beaten the crap out of me earlier in the week, and I’d called the cops on him. Somehow, he’d gotten out on bail or something, and he came after me again. This time he had a gun.”

  His eyes flared. “The bullet wound in Andrew’s shoulder. He said he’d gotten it rescuing a damsel in distress. That was you?”

  She nodded.

  “Remind me to buy him dinner when we get out of this mess. Hell, I’ll buy him the whole damn restaurant if he wants it. If not for him, I’d have lost you long before we got to this point.”

  She set her empty plate down and stood. With every step she took across the room carrying her closer and closer to Hayden, she could feel the tension and energy rolling off him in waves. She stood before him and hesitantly placed her hands on his chest. His heart was pounding, and she wasn’t sure if it was from her nearness or from his earlier agitation. The heat from his skin seared her palms. She couldn’t lie to herself; she desired him, had from the moment she’d first laid eyes on him. But as they’d talked, it had become more than just a physical attraction. She had certainly fallen under his spell.

  This man, this strong, powerful man, was hers. A tingle of awareness slid down her spine, and she realized that what she wanted more than anything was to feel his lips against hers. She wanted a kiss, and not just any kiss. She wanted a kiss from the man she was destined to love. It was too soon for those feelings just yet, but if what he said was true, if she was his mate, then she knew it would come to pass. Knowing she belonged with someone, that there was a man who would care for her and love her, a man who would treat her right, made her warm inside.

  She lifted her palm and placed it on his clean-shaven cheek. His skin was smooth and warm beneath her fingers. Looking up into his chocolate eyes, she rose on tiptoe and pressed her mouth to his. His hand slid through her hair and cradled the back of her head as his lips moved against hers. Daniela gave herself up to the kiss, surrendering to him completely.

  Hayden’s teeth grazed her lip, nipping her. She opened, and his tongue slipped inside. The taste of him had her clinging to his shoulders, wanting more. As he plundered her mouth, his arm wrapped around her waist, bringing her even closer.

  Daniela could feel how much he wanted her, the proof of his desire straining against the front of his jeans. If he desired her half as much as she wanted him, she knew he wanted nothing more than to lay her down on the bed and make love to her. And with his lips coaxing her in a sensual dance, she was almost ready for that same thing.

  His hands stayed in respectable places, but his touch lit her on fire. Flames of desire swept over her with every caress. She found herself leaning into his touch, wanting more of it, needing the feel of his hands on her skin.

  Her nipples peaked, and she felt her pussy weep. It had been so long since she’d been with a man, more than six months since her last boyfriend, and she’d never been with a man like Hayden. She could only imagine what it would be like to make love with him. To feel those incredible lips and hands on her body, caressing her everywhere, would be amazing.

  He kissed the corner of her mouth and nuzzled her nose. “What do you want, Daniela? If you want me to stop, I’ll stop.”

  “No, Hayden. I don’t want you to stop.”

  He kissed her again as he gathered the material of her nightgown in his hands, slowly lifting it. Once he removed the silky garment, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed, laying her down. She felt a blush warm her cheeks as his gaze caressed every naked inch of her.

  Hayden quickly disrobed and crawled onto the bed over her, burying his nose in her neck, breathing deeply. He kissed the sensitive skin there, making her shiver. His cock, thick and heavy, brushed against her thigh. She felt her pussy grow wetter in anticipation and wondered what kind of lover he would be.

  He kissed the hollow of her throat, and his lips traced a path down between her breasts. He filled his hands with the soft mounds, his calloused fingers brushing across her responsive nipples. She watched as he lowered his head and took one of the hardened peaks into his mouth, gasped as she felt his teeth graze the sensitive tip. The feel of his soft tongue swirling around it had her gripping the sheets to keep from reaching for him.

  Releasing her nipple, he turned to the other one. With his heated gaze on hers, he swirled his tongue around the peak before sucking it into his mouth. The feel of his lips and teeth and tongue touching her so intimately made moisture drip down her thighs. She’d been with men before, but never like t
his. It had always been hurried and always about them. But this was different. Hayden was making this all about her.

  His lips caressed the underside of her breast, her belly, and then lower. Settling between her legs, he spread them wide, opening her to his questing tongue. He licked her slit and moaned in appreciation before delving his tongue inside for a better taste. He dipped his tongue inside her again before flicking it over her clit, eliciting a gasp from her.

  Hayden’s tongue skirted around her clit, then barely grazed it, making her nerves sing in awareness. He sucked the hardened bud into his mouth, drawing on it long and hard. Daniela lifted her hips in silent invitation. She’d never felt anything so incredible before. To think she’d been missing out on something so amazing!

  He sucked and licked and teased until she thought she would go mad. And just when she was going to beg him to stop, to continue, to do something, she was suddenly flying. She’d given herself orgasms before, but nothing like this.

  When she came down from her high, he was kissing and licking his way back up her body. With a possessive gleam in his eyes, he settled over her, his cock poised at her pussy’s entrance, ready to enter her.

  She didn’t know what he was waiting for, but she wished he would move. She wanted to feel him inside her as much as she wanted her next breath. And yet still he didn’t move.

  “Say it,” he said.

  “Say what?” she asked, ready to say anything.

  “Say you’re mine.”

  Her heart fluttered in her chest. She knew she was his mate, but hearing him lay claim to her, knowing he wanted her for longer than just this moment was enough to make her heart race.

  “I’m yours,” she answered softly. “I promise to always be yours.”

  He thrust into her hard and fast, filling her completely. Daniela moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer. Her hands gripped his arms. With his eyes on hers, his gaze never wavering, he began to move within her. Slow, deep strokes. She could feel his long, hard cock touching her womb with every stroke, and she thrilled in the sensation. Tightening her legs around him, she urged him on, wanting him to move faster, harder. She felt wild and reckless, and that was how she wanted him to take her.

  Hayden kissed her, claiming her lips in a searing kiss, fanning the flames of her desire, taking her higher and higher. While his mouth ravaged hers, he cupped her breast and gently pinched her nipple, sending her over the edge. As she came, her juices coating his cock, he began plunging into her harder and faster, every movement pushing her closer to another orgasm.

  He growled and bit her shoulder as his muscles tightened. Daniela came once more as he spilled himself inside her.

  Rolling to his side, Hayden pulled her into his arms and held her close.

  “I never imagined it could be like that,” she murmured as she wrapped her arms around him.

  “Never? You mean you haven’t…”

  “Only by my own hand. You’re the first man to ever make me come.”

  Heat flared in his eyes. “And I’ll be the last.”

  “Yes.”

  * * *

  They spent the rest of the night in one another’s arms, and before long, dawn arrived. As Daniela watched the sky pinken, she smiled. By all rights, she should be exhausted, but she was far too happy for that. She’d found comfort, contentment, and tenderness in Hayden’s arms. She could think of worse fates than waking up in his arms every morning.

  A sharp rap came at the door a moment before it opened. Julian walked in, a fresh silk nightgown and robe draped over his arm. He smiled when he saw them cuddled in bed, his fangs glinting in the morning light.

  “Shouldn’t you be hiding?” she asked.

  He glanced out the window. “The windows have a special tinting on them that blocks out the harmful rays of the sun. But I’ll be heading to bed as soon as I make this delivery and shoo Hayden out of here. I need my beauty rest, you know.”

  Her eyes widened. She wasn’t sure if she should laugh or if he was being serious.

  Julian draped the light blue nightgown and matching robe across the foot of the bed. “These are for you. I imagine you’ll do quite a bit of sleeping today. But if you should decide you want something, like a book, then press the button on the left,” he said, pointing to the box on the wall.

  Daniela held the covers close to her, not wanting him to see her naked body. She looked down at her sleeping werewolf. After their first time making love, a unique tribal tattoo had worked its way over his right shoulder and down his arm to his elbow. She shifted so the arm would be visible to Julian, so he could see her werewolf was indeed marked. She bore her own mark, a crescent moon in the middle of her back.

  “Hayden,” Julian barked. “It’s time to get your lazy carcass up.”

  Hayden grumbled and didn’t move.

  “If you don’t get up, I might decide your mate is a tasty snack,” Julian said.

  Hayden sat up and glared at the vampire. “Touch her and I’ll rip out your fangs.”

  Julian smirked. “If you’re not waiting outside of the door in ten minutes, I’ll come back in here to get you. And if I have to do that, I’m taking your mate with me when I leave.”

  Hayden growled and watched the vampire leave. Once the door had clicked shut, he tossed the covers aside and stood.

  “Do you really have to leave?” Daniela asked.

  “Yes. They give me tasks to do every morning that last until sunset. I’m afraid you’ll be alone all day. Once Julian comes back tonight, we’ll show him our marks and get the hell out of here. He’ll be too tired and cranky to listen this morning.”

  She was disappointed, but tried not to let it show.

  “I’m going to go shower. Try to get some rest today.”

  “All right.”

  She lay back on her pillow and stared out the window. The sounds and scents of Hayden taking a shower filled the room and she longed to join him, but she knew that would make him late, which would only anger the vampire. She had little doubt Julian would make good on his threat. And if he pulled her out of this room, took her away from Hayden, she didn’t want to see where he would take her.

  She tried not to ogle her hunky man when he returned to the room, but it was difficult not to. She wanted to fall on her knees before him and lick every drop of water from his skin, paying special attention to the part of his anatomy that was rising up to say hello. She licked her lips, wondering what he would taste like.

  Hayden groaned and quickly pulled on a pair of jeans.

  “Stop that,” he ordered.

  Her eyes met his. “Stop what?”

  “Looking at me like I’m a lollipop.”

  “Well, you do look particularly lickable.”

  He grinned and walked across the room toward her. Leaning down, he kissed her hungrily.

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  She ran her fingers through his wet hair, smoothed her thumb across his jaw. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

  He kissed her once more before moving across the room and striding quickly out the door.

  Left alone, she gathered the clean garments Julian had brought and went to take her own shower.

  Chapter Three

  Hayden leaned against the door and blew out a breath. Walking away from Daniela had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. He might have spent all night making love to her, but he still wanted her. He could’ve had a week straight with her and it wouldn’t have been enough to take the edge off. Now that he’d found his mate, all he wanted to do was stay by her side, protect her, care for her. But that wasn’t meant to be, not yet anyway.

  He had a week. It wasn’t a very long time, but in a place like this, it could take forever for a week to pass. He knew she was going to be bored, left in the room with nothing to do and no one to talk to, but it was imperative that she stay isolated. He couldn’t risk Aiden Grant seeing her. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that if the vampire laid eye
s on her he’d keep her for himself. Daniela wouldn’t be safe until they were far away from this place.

  Julian approached with a smile. “I see I don’t have to drag you from your mate’s side. It seems she’s doomed to a day alone.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

  Julian nodded. “I’ll have some books and magazines sent up to her. I think there’s a small TV somewhere around here that isn’t being used I can have installed as well. Our suites aren’t typically used long-term so they aren’t equipped with many amenities. But then you wouldn’t know anything about that as your room was more of a ten-by-ten cell.”

  Hayden relaxed a little. “I’d appreciate it, Julian. Anything to make her time here easier.”

  “Anything?”

  The werewolf growled. “She’s not to leave the room.”

  Julian smirked. “I thought as much. Well, come on -- it’s time to start your day.”

  They went down the long hallway and down the curved staircase. When they reached the first floor, Julian led him through the various sitting areas and the dining room to the kitchen. At the back door, he stopped.

  “You’ll go through here and past the garden. There are the bare bones of a storage shed under construction. You’ll find all the tools and supplies you need at the site. Your project, for the foreseeable future, is to complete the storage building.”

  “Sounds easy enough.”

  A sly grin curved Julian’s lips. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll find it challenging enough. If you need anything, ask for Gunter,” he said, mentioning the lead security man on the day shift.

  “And I take it you’ll be sleeping?”

  “Of course. I’ll rise by nightfall. Don’t come in until the sun has set. When the last of the sun’s rays have finally disappeared over the horizon, when there is absolutely no light left to see by, then you may come in.”